Säteilyaltistukset

Säteilyaltistukset refers to the exposure of living organisms or materials to ionizing or non-ionizing radiation. This exposure can originate from various sources, both natural and artificial. Natural sources include cosmic radiation from space and terrestrial radiation from radioactive elements present in the Earth's crust. Artificial sources encompass medical diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, nuclear power generation, industrial applications, and consumer electronic devices.

The biological effects of radiation exposure depend on several factors, including the type of radiation, the dose received, the duration of exposure, and the sensitivity of the exposed tissue or organism. Ionizing radiation, such as X-rays and gamma rays, has enough energy to remove electrons from atoms and molecules, potentially causing damage to DNA and cellular structures. This can lead to deterministic effects, which occur above a certain threshold dose and become more severe with increasing dose, such as skin burns or cataracts. Stochastic effects, such as cancer and genetic mutations, are probabilistic and can occur at any dose, with the probability of occurrence increasing with dose.

Non-ionizing radiation, like radio waves and visible light, has lower energy and does not have enough energy to ionize atoms. Its primary effect is heating of tissues, and at very high intensities, this can lead to thermal damage. International organizations like the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines and recommendations for limiting radiation exposure to minimize associated health risks. Regulatory bodies in different countries implement these guidelines to ensure public and occupational safety.